Rowing machine



M1 14, 1933. A. DE v. HARNETT ROWING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan.21,

July 4, 3%33 DE v. HARNETT ROWING MACHINE Filed Jan 21, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 4, 1933 .UNETED STATES A. DE VERE HABNETT,0F RACINE, H ISCONSIN ROWING MACHINE Application filed January 21, 1932.

This invention appertains to exercising machines of the type generallyknown as rowing machines.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision ofan exercising machine of the rowing type, which is so constructed, thatall of the muscles of the body are scientifically exercised incident tothe use of the machine, the machine being of such a character as topermit the use thereof in different manners, so that the various musclesof the body will be exercised and flexed in different ways.

Another prime object of my invention is the provision of an exercisingmachine, embodying a frame which can be placed h0rizontally on the floorand having independent hand grips connected with independent coilsprings which are adapted to be flexed by the pull on the handles, withnovel foot pedals or grips, to which the opposite ends of the springsare connected.

A further salient object of my invention is the provision of ahorizontally disposed supporting frame having mounted thereon, a rollingseat, with sliding pedals or foot rests likewise mounted on the frame,having connected therewith one of the ends of the exercising springs,the other ends of the springs being connected with the independent handpulls, means being provided whereby the foot pedals or rests can beanchored against movement, so that the machine can be used substantially in the same manner as a conventional rowing machine, thepedals when released being movable, so that a leg action can be obtainedby sliding the pedals similar to the pedalling action of a bicycle.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of meanswhereby the pedals or feet rests can be held in different positions bythe feet of the user of the machine, so as to effectively adjust thetension of the springs against which the person using the machine pulls.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means forforming the rolling seat, whereby the same can be held stationary on theframe and in an adjusted position, when the machine is being used SerialNo. 587,891.

with the sliding foot pedals to obtain the pedalling action, or toobtain a combination pedal action and arm pull, with a side twist bodyaction.

A further objectof the invention is the provision of novel means forforming the feet rests or pedals themselves, whereby only the balls ofthe feet will be supported on the pedals, so that the arch of the footwill be left free and whereby the feet can rock on the pedals or rests,so that the ankle and feet muscles will also be effectively exercised.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an exercisingmachine of the above character, which will be durable and eflicient inuse, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which canbe placed upon the market at a. reasonable cost.

/Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will behereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of the improved exercising machine, showingthe foot-pedals in their locked position, parts of the'view being shownbroken away to illustrate structural features;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the improved machine, with the pedalsin their locked position;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the rollseat, illustrating theconstruction thereof, whereby the seat can be held in an ad justedstationary position on the frame;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the improved machine;

Figure 5 is a transverse section through the machine taken on the line55 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a. transverse section through the machine taken on the line66 of Figure 4:, looking in the direction of the arrows; and,

Figure 7 is a detailed fragmentary transverse sectional viewillustrating the position of the seat on the frame when the same is heldstationary against sliding movement.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,the letter A generally indicates the improved machine, which comprises ahorizontally disposed base frame 10, that can be formed of any desiredmaterial, such as wood or light metal.

This base frame includes the spaced parallel longitudinally extendingside rails 11 and the intermediate rail 12, which is equally distantlyspaced from the side rails 11. The opposite ends of the rails 11 and 12are rigidly connected by transverse end strips or rails 13 and 14. Therear end strip or rail 14 can also carry upper and lower fasteningstrips or plates 15 and 16, and the strips 14, 15, and 16 combine toform a partial housing for the rear pulleys 17 the purpose of which willbe later set forth. The front of the frame adjacent to the front endstrip or rail 13,-likewise carries a bottom plate 18. These bottomplates 16 and 18 can be provided with rubber or similar pads 19 forengaging the floor so as to prevent the marring of the floor incident tothe use of the machine thereon.

The inner faces of the side rails 11 and the opposite side faces of theintermediate rail 12 are provided with longitudinally extending groovesor raceways 20. The upper faces of the side rails 11 are provided withtracks 21, which normally receive the rollers 22 of the sliding seat 23of the machine.

The sliding seat 23 of the machine is shaped to give a form-fit and theseat is normally freely movable fromone end of the platform to theother.

In some instances, however, it is desirable with the use of my machineto provide means whereby the seat can be held in an adjusted stationaryposition on the frame.

This may be accomplished in different manners, but in accordance with myinvention, I provide the rear rollers 22 with elongated supported axles24, whereby the wheels can be slid laterally, so that the same can bemoved ofl of the tracks 21, as shown in Figure 7 ofthe drawings. Theseat directly in back of the rear rollers carry pads 25 and when therollers are slid laterally, these pads rest on the top faces of the siderails and hold the seat against movement. Obviously, the seat can beraised and moved to different adjusted positions on the frame to suitpersons of different builds.

The front plate 13 can be reinforced, if desired, by the use of ametallic sheath 26 and this front plate or strip has bolted or otherwisesecured thereto, the spaced hollow uprights 27. These uprights arepreferably treated, so that the same will present a pleasing andattractive appearance to the eye. Each of the hollow uprights 27 haverotatably mounted therein adjacent to their opposite ends, upper andlower pulley or guide wheels 28 and 29. By referring to Figure 4, itwill be noted that the pulley or guide wheels 28 and 29 are disposed atright angles to the plane of the rear pulley wheels 17.

Trained over the pulley wheels 28, 29 and 17, are the pull cords orcables 30. The upper ends of the cables or pull cords 30 extendforwardly from the upper ends of the hollow standards or uprights 27 andthese forward ends of the cables have securely anchored thereto, theindependent hand-pull grips 31. As shown, the pull cords or cables 30extend through openings 32 in the front strip or rail 13 and the cablesafter passing over the pulleys 28 and 29, extend rearwardly of themachine and are then trained over the pulleys 17 and brought forwardlytoward the front of the machine.

The terminals of the cables are securely anchored to the rear ends ofrelatively heavy contractile coil springs 32. The forward ends of thecoil springs 32 are anchored, as at 33, to the bottom faces of thepedals or foot-rests 34. These pedals or foot-rests '34 are of a specialconstruction and each pedal or rest is independent of the other, as canbe clearly seen by referring to Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings.

These pedals 34 can be in the nature of a casting, if so desired, andeach embody a hollow frame or housing having the spaced side walls 35,which are connected by the front and lower walls 36 and 37. The sidewalls are connected by a relatively narrow foot plate 38 which can beserrated or otherwise treated, so as to prevent the slipping of a footthereon. The bottom'wall 37 can be curved arcuately to form a heel seat,if so desired. Particular stress is laid on the formation of the feetrests or pedals, and in use of the machine, the balls of the feet arerested on the narrow foot plate 38. This allows the rocking and bendingof the feet and ankles during the use. of the machine, so that the feetand ankle muscles will be effectively exercised. i

As clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings,-the arch of the foot isleft free and unsupported, which will allow the arch to obtain a muchneeded exercise not given in walking. The front ends of the foot restsor pedals 34 carry forwardly extending bolts 40, which likewise extendthrough openings formed in the front plate or rail 13.

' The forward ends of the bolts are provided with heads 41 in back ofwhich are adapted to be swung the pivoted latches 42. Obviously, whenthe latches are swung down in the position shown in Figures 2 and 4, thefootpedals will be held against movement, but that when the pivotedlatches 42 are raised,

the foot-pedals are left free, to be effected by the contractile coilsprings 32. The 0pposite sides of the foot-pedals 34 carry slides 44which are mounted within the grooves or foot rests can be racewaysformed in the side and intermediate longitudinal rails 11 and 12. Ifdesired, these slides 44 carried by the pedals or provided withanti-friction rollers.

In the use of my improved exercising machine, when it is desired to usethe same as a rowing machine, the rollers 22 of the seat 23 are placedin the tracks 21 of the side rails 11 and the feet rests or pedals 3%are anchored against movement.

The person now sits on the rowing seat 23, with the balls of his feet onthe rests 88. The user bends forwardly and grasps the hand grips 31. Inthe initial exercising movement, the seat 23 is moved forwardly and theknees of the user are raised. The hand grips 31 can now be pulledrearwardly against the tension of the springs 32 and the legs arestraightened out by sliding the seat- 23 rearwardly and the person canbend back, pulling on the hand rips.

These exercising positions which simulate rowing are repeated thedesired number of times. By releasing the foot-pedals 3d, the same canbe held in different positions by the feet of the user, so as to adjustthe position of the springs and thereby govern the pull on the springs.

When the machine is to be used to obtain a bicycle pedalling action, therear rollers 22 of the seat are slid inwardly toward one another off ofthe tracks 21, so that the pads 25 will rest on the tracks. This willprevent the rolling, of the seat,and the seat can be moved to thedesired position best suited. to the height of the person using themachine. Likewise, the feet rests or pedals are released, so that thesame can .slide freely in the raceways 20. First one hand grip and theother can be pulled, with alternate pushing of the feet. This willexercise both the legs and arms of the user and during the alternatemovement of the arms and legs, the body is given a sidewise twist whichexercises the waist and the abdomen. This movement in conjunction withthe bending movement forms an effective means for reducing the stomach.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided anexceptionally simple and durable exercising machine, in which a numberof exercising motions can be accomplished, so that substantially all ofthe muscles of the body will be flexed.

VVit-h my preferred construction in mind, certain modifications readilysuggest themselves, such as having the pedals connected together foruniform movement, or having the springs connected to the hand-pulls andthe seat instead of the pedals.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or thescope of this invention, but what- I claim as new is:

1. An exercising machine of the rowing ried. by the frame, hand-pullscarriedby the frame, contractile coil springs, and means connecting theopposite ends of the contractile coil springs respectively tc thehandpulls and foot-pedals.

.3. An exercising machine comprising a horizontally disposed body frame,a seat mounted on the frame, foot-pedals slidably mounted on the framefor longitudinal movement, hand-pulls associated with the ame,contractile coil springs, means connecting the opposite ends of thesprings respectively to the foot-pedals and hand-pulls, and means forreleasably holding the foot-pedals against movement relative to theframe.

4. In an exercising machine, a body frame, a seat slidably mounted onthe body frame, independently slidable foot-pedals carriel by theforward end of the frame, hand-pull carried by the frame and normallyarrange" above the foot-pedals, contractile coil spr means connectin theopposite ends of the springs respectively to the hand-pulls andfoot-pedals, and means for holding the seat against sliding movement onthe frame.

In an exercising machine, a body frame, independent foot pedals slidablymounted on the frame for longitudinal movement, a seat normally mountedfor rolling movement on the frame longitudinally thereof, handpullsarranged above the foot-pedals, each of the hand-pulls being independentof the other, contractile coil springs, means con- .necting the oppositeends of the springs repedals slidably mounted on the frame, and

means connecting the opposite ends of the coil springs with thefoot-pedals, whereby the tension of the springs can be adjusted byvarying the position of the foot-pedals.

7. An exercising machine comprising a horizontally disposed body frameincluding longitudinally extending spaced side rails and an intermediatelongitudinal rail, means connecting the ends of the longitudinal railstogether, the inner faces of the side rails and the opposite faces ofthe intermediate rail being provided with longitudinal runways,foot-pedals arranged between theside rails and intermediate rail, guidescarried by the foot-pedals slidably mounted in the runways, uprightssecured to the front of the frame, contractile coil springsarrangedbelow the foot-pedals, means connecting the forward ends of the springsto the footpedals, pull cables secured to the rear ends of the springs,guide pulleys carried by the rear end of the frame over which the pullvcables are trained, guide pulleys carried by the uprights receiving thepull cables, independent hand-grips connected Witlrthe cables, andmeansfor releasably locking the foot pedals in position againstmovement.

8. An exercising machine comprising a horizontally disposed body frameincluding longitudinally extending spaced side rails and an intermediatelongitudinal rail, means connecting the ends of the longitudinal railstogether, the inner faces of the side rails and the opposite faces ofthe intermediate rail being provided with longitudinal runways,foot-pedals arranged between the side rails and intermediate rail,guides carried by the foot-pedals slidably mounted in the runways,uprights secured to the front of the frame,contractile coil springsarranged below the foot-pedals, means connecting the forward ends of thesprings to the footpedals, pull cables secured to the rear ends of thespring, guide pulleys carried by the rear end of the frame over whichthe pull cables are trained, guide pulleys carried by the uprightsreceiving the pull cables, independent hand-grips connected with thecables, means for releasably locking the footpedals in position againstmovement, said means including headed bolts carried by the foot-pedals,and pivoted latches connected with the frame for engaging said headedbolts. i

9. In an exercising machine, a horizontally disposed frame includinglongitudinally 9 extending side rails having tracks on their upperfaces, a seat on the frame having front and rear pairs of rollers forengaging in the tracks, certain of said rollers being shiftablelaterally, and pads carried by the seat for engaging the trackway whenthe rollers are shifted laterally to hold the seat against slidingmovement.

10. In an exercising machine, a horizontally disposed body frameincluding longitudinal side rails having tracks on their upper faces, asliding seat, rollers connected with the seat for normally engaging insaid traclrways, seat for certain of the rollers, rollers being slidableon the elongated axles, whereby the rollers can be shifted laterallybeyond the rails, and friction pads carried by the seat for engaging thetracks when the rollers are shifted laterally.

11. In an exercising machine, a pair of independent foot-pedals, each ofsaid pedals including a hollow body having side walls and a connectingbottom wall, a foot-rest connecting the side walls together QClJZlCGIltto the upper ends thereof for receiving the ball of the foot of theuser, and a heel rest carried by the bottom wall arranged in spacedrelation to the foot-rest.

elongated axles carried by the said certam In testimony that I claim theforegoing I 7 have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county ofMilwaukee and State of WVisconsin.

A. DE VEBE I-IARNETT.

